With great respect for his teacher’s command, the brahmin Uttanka approached the queen and said, “Lady, please give me the earrings; Saudāsa has instructed you.” The queen replied, “Bring the token of recognition and show it to the king, O Brahmin.” Taking her words to heart, Uttanka hastened to the king and requested the token that would prove his identity and purpose. The king, understanding the situation, said, “Go and speak thus to that virtuous lady, O best of Brahmins, conveying my words.” With the king’s token in hand, Uttanka returned to the queen, who, satisfied by the sign, handed over the precious earrings, saying, “Take these earrings, O Brahmin.” She warned him, “Takṣaka always desires these earrings, O Brahmin.” Filled with curiosity and concern, Uttanka returned to the king and reported all that had transpired. He said, “O king, when the radiant earrings arrived, I recognized them by their signs. Out of curiosity, tell me, O king, and also about your own affairs as they stand.” The king replied, “Those who are dissatisfied and bring misfortune became so for me at once, just as before. This much is the curse upon me from the great-souled Vasiṣṭha. But then you will be freed from fault, without doubt; attaining the sattvic realm, go, O Brahmin. My respects to you.” As Uttanka set out on his return journey, he was tormented by great hunger. Along the way, he saw some bilva fruits. He gathered them, tied them in a black antelope skin, and for a moment, placed the earrings on the ground. At that very instant, Takṣaka, the foremost of serpents, appeared and seized the earrings. Uttanka, collecting the bilva fruits, saw Takṣaka as he approached and tried to retrieve the earrings. Uttanka followed Takṣaka to a hole and entered, enveloped in darkness, determined to recover his teacher’s earrings. Seeing Uttanka so distressed and suffering because of his teacher’s task, a divine being took pity on him. Suddenly, the earth’s surface was torn open, and Uttanka beheld a wondrous, all-white horse endowed with virtues. Acting quickly, he performed the necessary rites, and smoke arose. Alarmed, all the serpents rushed forward, but ultimately, they surrendered the earrings to Uttanka, bowed to him, and returned to their abode. Uttanka was reminded that he had previously worshipped this divine horse at his teacher’s instruction. Knowing Uttanka’s distress, the compassionate one had come to his aid. He was then guided to the place where his Guru, the abode of all virtues, resided. At that very moment, Uttanka arrived at Gautama’s dwelling. Having bathed, Gautama’s virtuous wife approached her husband and spoke, “When I observed that he had become negligent in his duties to the Guru, I saw him cheerful, delighted, and adorned with the earrings.” Seeing this, the virtuous woman immediately placed the earrings on her own ears. She reflected aloud, “As I constantly reflect, it is for the sake of the cow that the pit must be filled. Therefore, you must quickly fill it; no one else is capable of this task.” Uttanka began to ponder deeply how to accomplish the filling of the pit. After much contemplation, the best of mountains spoke to the sage: “Our wings were cut off long ago by Indra and the others.” Vasiṣṭha replied, “There is indeed a way for the mountains to be taken there, O great mountain. Among them is one called Arbuda, a dear friend from childhood. He will ascend quickly and bring it here in a moment, without doubt. Give him the command, and you should not cause him suffering.” Overwhelmed by great sorrow, the mountain began to reflect on what must be done.